Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-05-12
ARIZONA SHAKEN.
Remarkable Seismic Disturbance
in the Southwest.
Volcanoes Long Extinct Burst Forth In An
Their Fury-M0untains Crumble and
Property Destroyed, But No
Lives Lost.

TUCsoN, Ariz-, May San earthquake
occurred here at 2:12 p. IN. Tuesday. Nc
one was injured, but considerable damage
was done to buildings. Goods were thrown
from the shelves of stores and many houses
were cracked. The shock was accompanied
by rum bling sound Many clocks stopped
in the city and the entire population fed
to the streets terror stricken. The court
house cupola swayed like the mast of ship
in q turbulent sea and the building seemed
as though it were toppling over. When the
shock struck Santa Catalina mountain
great sections were torn from its side and
thrown to its base. Vast clouds of dust
rose above its crest, 1000 feet above the
sea level, at three different points, from
three to four miles apart, and it was be-
leved for some time that volcano had
burst out Of the crest. One towering peak
known as Old Castle, a prominent land
mark from Tucson, has entirely disap-
peared The extent of the damage can not
be told for several days. This was the first
earthquake ever experienced in Tucson.
The public school building rocked to and
fro like cradle and some of the
plastering fell, creating the utmost con-
sternation among the scholars School was
at once dismissed for fear of repetition of
the shock. 1t lasted. according to gentle
man who timed it, just four minutes. One
or two slight vibrations have since been
felt. The movement OF the tremor was
northwest. Shortly after the earthquake
a volcano broke out twenty-five miles south
of this place in the Total Wreck mountains
and the sky was brilliantly illuminated all
night.
VOLCANOES.
BENSON, Ariz., May 5.-The volcanic erup-
ton is pronounced genuine from the Whet-
stone mountains. Parties in on train last
night report that fire was seen coming
forth from the mountains, and lava and
smoke can be seen from the streets of Ben
son. nearly twenty miles from the disturb
ance. No one has yet personally inspected
the marvellous discovery, but parties are
ranging to go there in private conveyances
when particulars can be learned At first
it was thought to be woods on fire, but the
conStancy of the burning and its appear
ance at night indicates that it is volcano,
caused by the earthquake. Another
volcano is said to be in existence
in the Catalina mountains, and authentic
news from Wilcox is that another volcano
has made its appearance in Winchester
mountain, about forty-five miles from here.
Six distinct shocks of earthquake have
been felt here since yesterday 1t is be-
lieVed that volcano is in active operation
in the San Jose mountains on the border OF
Sonora, Mex. about 10 miles southwest of
Tucson, ARR. Tuesday afternoon black
curling smoke was plainly visible and all
into bright light and then apparently dying
down, only to burst out again. The
true state of affairs is not known
in Tucson yet. From Il private telegram from
Fort Huachaca this morning 1T was learned
that General Forsythe, commanding the
post, would head an investigating commit
tee. Advices from Pantano, Total Wreck.
Crittenden, Globe and elsewhere show that
the earthquake was general throughout
Southern Arizona 1t will be some time
before the full effect of the earthquake in
the Santa Catalina mountains can be
learned, as the range is one of the most
rugged and difficult Of access in the Terri
tory.
GROUND OPENING.
BENSON, Ariz, May 5-At two p. m. Tues
day severe ca rthquake was felt here, and
minor shocks were felt at intervals far into
the night. Much excitement prevailed and
everybody rushed from their places of
business and homes. A Southern Pacific
engine ON a turn table was moved back
ward and forward with brakes set. A
party just in from the vicinity of the Sap
per river reports the ground as opening
about six inches and water rising in
places that were before perfectly
dry. Smoke was noticed about five
o'clock, which appeared in the neigh
borhood of the Milestone mountains eight
miles from here. Some say it is a volcanic
erupllOu, UuG DIS VI IldO CHdTdCbCE
has ever been known in this region the
greatest surprise and curiosity exists.
Several buildings in the city were materi-
ally damaged by the serious cracks and the
losses are estimated at from 800 to 81, 900.
FALLING MOUNTAIN.
GUAYMAs, Mexico, May 5-At 4:25 Tues
day afternoon, two earthquake shocks were
felt here within short intervals, lasting al |
together but few seconds. The direction
was from east to west. No damage is re-
ported so far, though all the clocks |
stopped running Similar shocks were |
felt all along the line of the So |
nora railroad. The following is from |
the agent of Torres station Zone |
minute after the first quivering sensation, |
the highest cliff of the Chivan mountain
fell, causing a cloud of dust to rise as if |
from explosion of a large amount of |
powder. From the station it had the ap-
pearance OF a volcanic eruption"
POND DRIED UP.
TOMBSTONE, AriZ., May 5.-A severe
shock of earthquake occurred here Tues
day about three p. m. and continued to |
shake furiously for forty seconds. This
is the first occurrence of this kind
in this Territory for twenty
five years. Windows were broken and
cracked and injured, but no per-
sons hurt. Ten miles from the city pond
covering an acre OF ground completely
dried up in twenty minutes An embank-
ment along the New Mexico and Arizona
was moved from its former posi-
ton as much as twelve inches.
EXCITEMENT INTENSE.
NoGALEs, Ariz., May 5.-The first earth
quake ever experienced at this place oc-
CURED Tuesday afternoon, lasting about
one minute. Buildings trembled and peo-
pie rushed into the street, and the excite
ment for time was intense. The railroad
agent at Torres, Sonora, reports that the
highest cliff on Chuate mountain fell with
a deafening noise. The dust was seen for
several miles.